Judith on ‘Choosing to Rejoice’.

Choose to rejoice. Those were the words on our Lectio365 daily devotional which resonated. CHOOSE to rejoice. I find these long lockdown days I am having to do more choosing to rejoice- don’t know about you.

I’ve been thinking about Hagar recently when she fled into the desert after being mistreated by her mistress Sarah because she had become pregnant by Abraham, at Sarah’s suggestion. Now I can’t compare my experience with Hagar’s, but it does feel a bit desert like as we live our lives without seeing close friends and family, without hugs, without seeing people except on screens, without being able to work in the usual way, without our usual income, without gathering for worship together, without being able to confidently plan any of the above.

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We need to pray – just to make it through the day

We pray Sundays, Tuesdays – often twice. We have a prayer partner scheme. Soon we will pray almost everyday in the Quiet Garden prayer room. But in the meantime here are other prayer gatherings that we want to encourage you to participate in

Eastbourne Prayer Day
This event runs from 9.00am to 1.00pm. You can be there the whole time or come in for an hour. It will take place on Zoom and includes contributions from over 15 people to help us pray in an informed way for the town. We will send out the link on Friday but ideally you would register to help us understand what the numbers are going to be.

February 4th
We’re taking part in the Pioneer 40 days of Prayer and Feb 4th is our day. We will pray at 4 different times of the day and also send you information for your personal prayers on that day. We’ll give you more information nearer the time.

Deliberate Journeys – When Jesus Calls You To An Adventure

Dave Roberts shares in the second of our new series on Journeys with Jesus. The focus is on John 4:4 and Jesus willingness to go to Samaria with all risk to his reputation that might involve as he travels almost to the door of a competing temple and starts the mission that would go to the nations, through a woman. Discover how this impacts our understanding of mission and witness today.

Gather Collective – Song of the Week

We sing old songs, new songs and ancient hymns. We seek to reflect our teaching themes with the use of relevant songs. Our Songs of the Week will generally be new songs that we are learning but at other times they might just be great songs that express timeless truths. We are starting with I am Who You Say I am – a song about grace, identity and emotional resilience.

New Partnership in Community Allotment Project

A new addition to the various Men’s Sheds around Eastbourne brings a new twist to the idea. Linking Lives is partnering with a local community allotment to create a twice weekly event for men. The allotment is open 6 mornings a week and welcomes everyone – but for two mornings a week will have a special focus on men.

Linking Lives Development Worker Dave Roberts comments: ‘Some of those we befriend still have a fair bit of mobility and a desire to re-connect with community. This kind of activity works at many levels, providing exercise, connection with nature, small group community and meaningful work. Not to mention the allotment volunteers bonus – take home vegetables. Because of the size of the community allotment we are able to welcome people, in line with government guidelines, in all but a lockdown. Care is taken over social distancing at all times ‘

The work varies from light sit down tasks through to digging, shredding and the erection of posts and small growing structures. The pilot project will be detailed in a short 8 page document, complied by our partners for these sessions, local charity Growing Futures and local community church Gather Collective. This document can be used by Eastbourne churches and charitable groups to create their own unique Men’s Garden Shed projects.

If you would like to know more about the Men’s Garden Shed idea or refer people to it contact Dave at [email protected] or call/text 07838 388128, People can come for taster sessions on Saturday mornings post lockdown.